pacman57

Hello. My wife and I (both 60) are planning our first trip to Greece in Oct 2017. We have 9 days total (before heading to the Cyclades), of which the first day will be traveling to Athens from Rome, arriving at 5:30pm. Our plan was to stay in Athens that night, rather than trying to drive to Nafplio in the evening. We will be renting a car.

We are veteran travelers - we love spectacular scenery and we love to eat.

Day 2 - Drive to Nafplio - stop in Corinth and Mycenae on the way. Stay in Nafplio
Day 3 - Stay in Nafplio - visit Epidavros
Day 4 - drive to Mani Peninsula - stop in Sparta/Mystras on the way. Stay in Mani
Day 5 - stay in Mani
Day 6 - drive to Monemvasia. Stay in Monemvasia
Day 7 - drive back to Athens
Day 8 - Athens
Day 9 - Athens
Day 10 - leave for the Cyclades (14 days)

My first question is this - in a choice between two days in Mani or two days in Monemvasia, any suggestions?

And my second question is - are we short changing either Athens or Nafplio by adding Mani to the itinerary?

Thanks in advance for your help.

travelerjan

You will have t rouble visiting both Corinth & Mycenae unless you get an early start, because it is possible that Mycenae will close at 3. Greece keeps saying that "summer hours" on major sites will go thru October, but in the past, budget cuts have forced 3pm (1500) closure.

And yes, I think you are short-changing Nafplio by adding Mani. That can be for another trip. You are biting off quite a bit as it is. If you leave off Mani, you will have time to explore NEMEA -- wonderful Sacred Games Site which is just off the main Pelops highway about 15 miles after you cross Corinth Canal. AND... if you love wine... Ancient Nemea is smack in the heart of the famous Vineyards -- Nemean Red, yummmm. There's a vineyard trail. Also, have yo really looked at the excellent Nafplio (and area) website - visit nafplio? http://www.visitnafplio.com -- if you scram out of Nafplio hastily, u won't hae time to go to the top of Palamidi (by car, the back way, not up the 999 steps those are crazy)... and the view from there beats most Mani towers. And then there's Asine, and Tiryns ... the list goes on...

Heimdall

Were it me I would head for the Cyclades first, then do the trip through the Peloponnese. The reason is that October is end of season on the islands, and ferries are reverting to winter timetables. It's still possible to island hop along main ferry routes, but by the end of October all the summer catamarans are laid up for the winter.

There is no closed season in the Peloponnese, while on the islands many shops, hotels, and restaurants begin closing at the end of September.

Heimdall

Let me add: October is a favourite month in the Cyclades for people who like it very quiet, but they usually go early in the month. Even on the smallest islands there are always a few hotels and tavernas open, beaches are deserted, but water still warm enough to swim.

travelerjan

I totally agree with Heimdall on the sequence ... I often think that people who plan to travel in Greek islands in late October turn out to be persons who have been misled by an experience of travelling in Italy -- Italy has a much longer "shoulder season", when remote places still are open and there are choices of activities and dining ... many Greek isles places would be shuttered during that same period.

pacman57

Thank you for the excellent responses. I didn't mention that we've chartered a sailboat for the trip to Cyclades, so we're set for accommodations. We're starting in Santorini and finishing in Mykonos, with only a few stops in between. As long as there's a decent taverna open for dinner, we'll be happy.

I will definitely recalibrate the schedule with more time in Nafplio. I'm guessing that since neither of you mentioned a change, one day in Monemvasia is enough?

Thanks

travelerjan

pacman, that's a lesson ... it is thoughtful to include all relevant details, because it saves advisors the time and effort to work up other scenarios which may be more timing-appropriate, all because they do not have the key unmentioned facts (sailboat).

Heimdall

If I were chartering a sailboat I would go even earlier, maybe in September when weather is better and daylight hours longer.